A surreal digital illustration depicting the organization of complex data structures.

Untangling Knowledge: How Ontology and Terminology Theories Shape Our Understanding

Nico Varela in Tech & Innovation August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into how applied ontology and terminology theories are revolutionizing knowledge organization, especially in complex fields like biomedicine."

In the quest to build robust knowledge organization systems, capturing human understanding and making it explicit is a fundamental yet challenging task. This process, at its core, involves creating precise definitions for various entities and establishing clear relationships between them, which allows for effective categorization and classification. Within the field of knowledge representation, both established theories and newer approaches coexist, each playing a crucial role in constructing technological tools designed to manage and utilize information effectively.

One such established theory is the Theory of Terminology, which provides a set of principles that guide the study of terms and their application in creating models of reality. The term 'terminology' itself can refer to a discipline, a practice, or even a specific product. Complementing this is the Theory of Applied Ontology, a more recent approach. While the term 'ontology' has multiple meanings, in this context, 'applied ontology' refers to the application of philosophical principles to the organization of information and knowledge, with the goal of constructing specialized knowledge systems.

Biomedicine stands out as a domain where both the Theory of Terminology and the Theory of Applied Ontology find significant application. The vocabularies of biology and medicine have historically been rooted in the work of Eugen Wüster, considered the father of terminology, whose principles underpin widely adopted international medical standards. Simultaneously, biology and medicine are at the forefront of direct applications of applied ontology theories globally, highlighting the increasing importance of these frameworks in managing complex biomedical information.

Decoding the Dialects: Terminology vs. Applied Ontology

A surreal digital illustration depicting the organization of complex data structures.

To effectively compare and contrast these theories, it's essential to understand their specific ‘dialects’—the unique set of technical terms each uses to describe entities and relationships. This involves dissecting the processes of definition and entity relation within each framework. By examining these nuances, we can reveal both the distinctions and similarities between terminology and applied ontology, providing a clearer picture of their respective strengths and applications.

Let's begin by exploring the dialect of Terminology Theory. At its core are three main branches:

General Theory of Terminology (GTT): Focuses on the principles governing the study of terms.
Communicative Theory of Terminology (CTT): Emphasizes communication aspects.
Socioterminology (ST): Considers social factors influencing terminology.

While each offers valuable insights, this discussion primarily aligns with Wüester's principles of GTT, where terminology is viewed as a set of theoretical postulates providing methodological guidelines for crafting structured terminologies.

The ISO-704 standard offers a specific vocabulary—a type of jargon—that requires careful interpretation. This jargon must be elucidated to understand the standard's purpose and compare it with other approaches, particularly in defining and relating entities within a knowledge organization system. Almeida's interpretation and adaptation is crucial for understanding the technical terms used throughout this analysis.

Bridging the Divide: Towards Integrated Knowledge Systems

This article has compared the notions of Terminology Theory and Applied Ontology Theory, explained, interpreted, and confronted the dialects used by these two theories for the purpose of creating definitions and relations in knowledge organization systems. After comparing the technical terms used in each dialect, compiled in a synoptic table, and presented a real practical case of creation of definitions in a biomedical information organization project, some questions about complementarity between the theories, as well as observed gaps, were discussed. The results leave questions open, which may be the same ones that arise for information professionals when creating knowledge organization systems. The results of the research help to resolve some of these doubts.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5007/1518-2924.2015v20n44p3, Alternate LINK

Title: Avanços Teórico-Empíricos Na Comparação Entre Teoria Da Ontologia E Teoria Da Terminologia

Subject: Library and Information Sciences

Journal: Encontros Bibli: revista eletrônica de biblioteconomia e ciência da informação

Publisher: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC)

Authors: Elisângela Cristina Aganette, Maurício Barcellos Almeida

Published: 2015-11-16

Everything You Need To Know

What is the primary focus of the Theory of Terminology, and how does it contribute to knowledge organization?

The Theory of Terminology, particularly the General Theory of Terminology (GTT), focuses on establishing principles for studying terms and their use in creating models of reality. It provides methodological guidelines for crafting structured terminologies, ensuring precision in definitions and relationships between entities. This structured approach aids in effective categorization and classification within knowledge organization systems, crucial for managing and utilizing information efficiently.

How does Applied Ontology Theory differ from the Theory of Terminology, and what are their respective strengths in knowledge representation?

Applied Ontology Theory, in contrast to the Theory of Terminology, applies philosophical principles to organize information and knowledge, aiming to build specialized knowledge systems. The Theory of Terminology excels in providing structured terminologies via the GTT, CTT, and ST branches, offering a set of postulates. Applied Ontology focuses on the application of philosophical principles. Both theories contribute to knowledge representation but use different approaches to achieve clarity and structure in the organization of knowledge.

In what specific ways are the Theory of Terminology and Applied Ontology utilized within the field of biomedicine?

Biomedicine significantly benefits from both the Theory of Terminology and Applied Ontology. The vocabularies of biology and medicine rely on Eugen Wüster's terminology principles, which underpin international medical standards. Simultaneously, biomedicine is at the forefront of direct applications of Applied Ontology theories. This dual application highlights the increasing importance of these frameworks in managing and organizing complex biomedical information, enhancing understanding and facilitating research.

What is the significance of the ISO-704 standard in relation to the Theory of Terminology, and how is it interpreted?

The ISO-704 standard provides a specific vocabulary essential for understanding the Theory of Terminology, particularly in defining and relating entities within a knowledge organization system. This jargon requires careful interpretation to understand the standard's purpose. Almeida's interpretation and adaptation are crucial for understanding the technical terms used throughout this analysis, ensuring clarity and precision in the application of the theory.

How can the dialects of Terminology Theory and Applied Ontology be compared and contrasted, and what are the implications for creating integrated knowledge systems?

Comparing the dialects involves dissecting the processes of definition and entity relation within each framework. Terminology Theory uses the GTT, CTT, and ST branches. Applied Ontology uses a philosophical approach. Understanding these distinctions and similarities reveals their respective strengths and applications. Integrating these theories could lead to more robust knowledge systems, addressing gaps and leveraging the strengths of both approaches for creating definitions and relations within knowledge organization systems.